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24 Seconds With…Chris Paul

Rowan Kavner

This weekly series from Clippers.com features a Q&A with Clippers players, coaches, alumni or those who follow the Clippers’ organization closely. The next edition features point guard Chris Paul. 

LOS ANGELES – Chris Paul’s 73 points, 39 assists and three turnovers the past three games are a microcosm of what he’s meant to the Clippers this season.

No one affects the game quite like Paul, who’s helped the Clippers to a plus-10.3 mark per game when he’s on the court and a team-worst minus-4.5 mark when he’s off it.

Paul just completed his league-leading 14th game this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists. Monday night marked Paul’s 41st career game with at least 20 points, 10 assists two steals and one or fewer turnovers; no other active player has more than seven such games.

Among the Clippers players who’ve played at least 100 minutes, the Clippers score a team-best 114.4 points per 100 possessions when Paul’s on the court and a team-low 97.9 points per 100 possessions when he’s off it.

Paul’s got just one turnover in each of his last three games, despite playing at least 37 minutes in each of those contests. As the Clippers continue to roll despite losing Blake Griffin, the success can be attributed in large part to the enhanced contributions from Paul and DeAndre Jordan.

Paul talked about Monday night’s win, a couple big shots and the culture change with the Clippers:

Did it seem like Monday night was one of those games where you needed everyone on the roster to contribute something?

CP: “This was a grind-out game. We had a big lead early in the first, they came back. It was neck-and-neck all game, but we finally got the stops when we needed to in the fourth.”

Describe those last two minutes, with techs and an ejection in a close game.

CP: “It was crazy. I couldn’t believe J.J. (Redick) got ejected. I couldn’t believe that. It could’ve really hurt us. Luckily (Ricky) Rubio went to the line and missed a free throw. But it’s over now, we won, ready to get up out of here.”

How tough was that for Spencer Hawes to struggle from the floor but not hesitate at all when he hit that late 3-pointer?

CP: “Big shot, man. I was going to keep feeding him, because at the end of the day, you’ve got to make the right play. Where (Kevin Garnett) was, he kept tagging (DeAndre Jordan), so we couldn’t get the lob. That was leaving Spencer wide open. On most nights, I don’t think teams will do that, because Spencer can knock that shot down.”

Speaking of Garnett, Doc Rivers said Garnett changed the culture of the Celtics. Did you feel that was your job as well when you came to the Clippers?

CP: “No question. Like I said when I first got here, I didn’t follow the Clippers like that. To tell you the truth, when I came into the league, it’s like when you came to LA to play against the Lakers, you had to get your rest; you play against the Clippers, you might be able to go out and stuff like that. We just wanted to make it competitive and make sure we have a winning mentality, and I think we have that.”

Where or how does that start?

CP: “It’s everything. It’s a lifestyle, to tell you the truth. I don’t care if it’s cards, checkers, practice, whatever it is, you’ve just always got to stay hungry and not be OK with losing.”

How quick a process is that to change?

CP: “I don’t know, right away. I think a lot of times, teams take on the personality of sometimes some of their best players or most influential players. With me, Blake (Griffin) and DJ here, I think it’s happened.”